terminal block

Abstract

The present application provides a terminal block capable of realizing the miniaturization of a housing. A terminal block (1) is provided with: a bus bar having a first terminal portion having a through-hole, and a second terminal portion; a housing (2) holding the bus bar and having a cylindrical accommodation chamber (23) opposed to the first terminal portion in the axial direction of the through-hole; a nut (4) accommodated in the accommodation chamber; and a holding member (5) having a support portion supporting the nut and mounted to the housing, the accommodation chamber having wall surfaces (23a, 23b, 23c, 23d) opposed to each side surface of the nut, the rotation of the nut being restricted by the wall surfaces, the support portion being located on the side opposite to the first terminal portion side with respect to the nut so as to support the nut in a manner that a threaded hole (41) of the nut is opposed to the through-hole.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a terminal block. BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventionally, there is a housing that accommodates a nut. A housing that accommodates a nut having a body portion in which a bolt insertion hole is formed and a wedge portion that protrudes from the body portion to the radial direction outside of the bolt insertion hole is disclosed in Patent Literature 1.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-40440 SUMMARY

[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] In the structure of Patent Literature 1, the accommodation portion is upsized due to the shape of the protruding wedge portion. For a terminal block having a housing that accommodates a nut, it is desirable to achieve downsizing of the housing.

[0008] An object of the present application is to provide a terminal block that can achieve downsizing of a housing.

[0009] MEANS OF SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0010] The terminal block of the present application is characterized by comprising: a bus bar having a first terminal portion that is a plate-shaped portion having a through hole and a second terminal portion; a housing that holds the bus bar and has a cylindrical accommodation chamber that opposes the first terminal portion in the axial direction of the through hole; a nut that is accommodated in the accommodation chamber; and a retainer that has a support portion that supports the nut and is attached to the housing, the accommodation chamber has wall surfaces that oppose each side surface of the nut and restricts rotation of the nut by the wall surfaces, and the support portion supports the nut in a manner that the thread hole of the nut opposes the through hole, with the support portion being located on the side opposite to the first terminal portion with respect to the nut.

[0011] EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In the terminal block according to the present application, the cylindrical accommodation chamber of the housing has wall surfaces that oppose each side surface of the nut and restricts rotation of the nut by the wall surfaces. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both downsizing of the accommodation chamber and maximization of the contact area between the accommodation chamber and the nut. According to the terminal block according to the present application, it is possible to achieve downsizing of the housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a terminal block according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a terminal block according to an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a terminal block according to an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a busbar according to an embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a busbar according to an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 6 is a top view of a housing according to an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 7 is a sectional view of a housing according to an embodiment.

[0020] Figure 8 is a sectional view of a housing according to an embodiment.

[0021] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a retainer according to an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 10 is a top view of a retainer according to an embodiment.

[0023] Figure 11 is a sectional view of a terminal block according to an embodiment.

[0024] Figure 12 is a sectional view of a terminal block according to an embodiment.

[0025] Figure 13 is a sectional view of a terminal block according to an embodiment.

[0026] Figure 14 is a sectional view of a terminal block according to an embodiment.

[0027] Figure 15 is a perspective view of a mold according to an embodiment.

[0028] Figure 16 is a perspective view of a mold according to an embodiment.

[0029] Figure 17 is a perspective view of a mold according to an embodiment.

[0030] Figure 18 is a sectional view of a mold according to an embodiment.

[0031] Figure 19 is a sectional view of a mold according to an embodiment.

[0032] Explanation of symbols

[0033] 1 terminal table

[0034] 2 housing

[0035] 3, 3A, 3B, 3C bus bar

[0036] 4, 4A, 4B, 4C nut

[0037] 5 retainer

[0038] 6 resin body

[0039] 8 bolt

[0040] 11, 12 sleeve

[0041] 20 main body

[0042] 21, 22, 23 accommodation chamber

[0043] 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d wall surface

[0044] 24 fitting portion

[0045] 25 accommodation block

[0046] 26 recessed portion

[0047] 27, 28 partition portion

[0048] 27a, 27b, 28a, 28b wall portion

[0049] 27c, 28c locking portion

[0050] 31 first terminal portion

[0051] 31a through-hole

[0052] 32 second terminal portion

[0053] 33 intermediate portion

[0054] 34 supported portion

[0055] 35, 36 bent portion

[0056] 41 threaded hole

[0057] 50 main body

[0058] 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d side surface

[0059] 51, 52, 53 support portion

[0060] 54, 55 engaging pieces

[0061] 56 ribs

[0062] 56a inclined surface

[0063] 57 recess

[0064] 61 cap portion

[0065] 62 block portion

[0066] 100 device

[0067] 101 terminal

[0068] 102 opposed wall

[0069] 200 mold

[0070] 201 first mold

[0071] 202 second mold

[0072] 203 slider

[0073] 204 column portion

[0074] 205 holding portion

[0075] 206 first support portion

[0076] 207 second support portion

[0077] X first direction

[0078] Y second direction

[0079] Z third direction DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0080] Hereinafter, a terminal block according to an embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present application is not limited to this embodiment. In addition, elements that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art or substantially the same elements are included in the structural elements of the following embodiment.

[0081] [EMBODIMENT]

[0082] Reference Figures 1 to 19 An embodiment will be described. The present embodiment relates to a terminal block. Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a terminal block according to the embodiment, Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a terminal block according to the embodiment, Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a perspective view of a bus bar according to the embodiment, Figure 6is a plan view of the housing involved in the embodiment, Figure 7 and Figure 8 is a sectional view of the housing involved in the embodiment, Figure 9 is a perspective view of the retainer involved in the embodiment, Figure 10 is a plan view of the retainer involved in the embodiment. Figures 11 to 14 is a sectional view of the terminal block involved in the embodiment, Figures 15 to 17 is a perspective view of the mold involved in the embodiment, Figure 18 and Figure 19 is a sectional view of the mold involved in the embodiment.

[0083] In Figure 7 is shown the VII-VII sectional plane of Figure 6 . In Figure 8 is shown the VIII-VIII sectional plane of Figure 6 . In Figure 11 and Figure 12 is shown the sectional plane of the same position as Figure 7 . Figure 13 is shown the XIII-XIII sectional plane of Figure 12 . In Figure 14 is shown the XIV-XIV sectional plane of Figure 12 .

[0084] As shown in Figures 1 to 3 , the terminal block 1 of the embodiment has a housing 2, bus bars 3, nuts 4, and retainers 5. The terminal block 1 can have a plurality of bus bars 3 and a plurality of nuts 4. The example terminal block 1 has three bus bars 3, 3A, 3B, and 3C. In addition, the terminal block 1 has three nuts 4, 4A, 4B, and 4C, corresponding to the bus bars 3A, 3B, and 3C. The three bus bars 3A, 3B, and 3C correspond to, for example, V-phase, U-phase, and W-phase of three-phase alternating current.

[0085] The housing 2 is a member that holds the bus bars 3, and is formed of, for example, an insulating synthetic resin. The example housing 2 is integrally formed with the three bus bars 3A, 3B, and 3C and the two sleeves 11 and 12.

[0086] As shown in Figure 3 , the housing 2 has three cylindrical accommodation chambers 21, 22, and 23, corresponding to the three nuts 4A, 4B, and 4C. The nuts 4 are square nuts of a regular polygon. The example nuts 4 are square nuts whose shape in plan view is a square. The nuts 4A, 4B, and 4C are accommodated in the accommodation chambers 21, 22, and 23, respectively.

[0087] The retainers 5 are members that support the nuts 4A, 4B, and 4C. The retainers 5 are formed of, for example, an insulating synthetic resin. The retainers 5 have three support portions 51, 52, and 53, corresponding to the nuts 4A, 4B, and 4C (seeFigure 9 Supports 51, 52, and 53 hold the nut 4 in such a way that the threaded hole of the nut 4 is aligned with the through hole of the manifold 3.

[0088] Busbar 3 is a conductor formed from a conductive metal plate. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the busbar 3 has a first terminal portion 31, a second terminal portion 32, a middle portion 33, and a supported portion 34. The first terminal portion 31 is formed in the shape of a plate and has a through hole 31a. The through hole 31a extends through the center of the first terminal portion 31 along the thickness direction of the plate. The shaft portion of a bolt is inserted into the through hole 31a. The first terminal portion 31 is fastened together with the terminal of the connected object by a bolt and a nut 4. The first terminal portion 31 has a pair of edges 31b, 31b. The pair of edges 31b, 31b are located on both sides of the through hole 31a in the first direction X. The pair of edges 31b, 31b are integrated with the housing 2 and held by the housing 2.

[0089] The example second terminal portion 32 is a male terminal with a cylindrical shape. The second terminal portion 32 is formed by rolling a metal plate into a cylindrical shape. A resin body 6 is inserted into the second terminal portion 32. The resin body 6 has a cap portion 61 and a block portion 62 for preventing finger contact. The cap portion 61 and the block portion 62 are connected inside the second terminal portion 32. The block portion 62 is generally rectangular in shape.

[0090] The intermediate portion 33 connects the first terminal portion 31 and the second terminal portion 32. The busbar 3 has a right-angled bend 35 between the first terminal portion 31 and the intermediate portion 33. Therefore, the intermediate portion 33 is orthogonal to the main surface of the first terminal portion 31. The intermediate portion 33 is bent at multiple points between the first terminal portion 31 and the second terminal portion 32. The example housing 2 is integrally formed with and retains the intermediate portion 33.

[0091] The supported portion 34 is the part supported by the housing 2. The busbar 3 has a curved portion 36 that bends at a right angle between the first terminal portion 31 and the supported portion 34. That is, the supported portion 34 is orthogonal to the main surface of the first terminal portion 31. In the example, the housing 2 and the supported portion 34 are integrally formed. That is, in the terminal block 1 of this embodiment, both sides of the first terminal portion 31 are integrally formed with the housing 2 and held by the housing 2. A recess 34a is provided on the side of the supported portion 34, which is recessed along the width direction of the supported portion 34. As a result, the holding force of the housing 2 in holding the supported portion 34 is increased. Therefore, deformation of the busbar 3 when the first terminal portion 31 is fastened to the terminal on the opposite side can be suppressed.

[0092] exist Figure 5The positional relationship of the bus bars 3A, 3B, 3C in the state held by the housing 2 is shown in FIG. 1. The housing 2 holds the bus bars 3A, 3B, 3C in a state in which the three first terminal portions 31 are arranged at intervals along one direction. In the explanation of the terminal block 1, the arrangement direction of the first terminal portions 31 is referred to as the "first direction X". In addition, the direction orthogonal to the first direction X when viewed from above the first terminal portions 31 is referred to as the "second direction Y". In addition, the direction orthogonal to both the first direction X and the second direction Y is referred to as the "third direction Z".

[0093] As shown in FIG. 1, the first terminal portions 31 are arranged at intervals along the first direction X. The first terminal portions 31 are arranged in the order of the first terminal portion 31A, the first terminal portion 31B, and the first terminal portion 31C. The first terminal portion 31A is arranged at the most upstream side in the first direction X. The first terminal portion 31B is arranged at the intermediate position in the first direction X. The first terminal portion 31C is arranged at the most downstream side in the first direction X. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1, the bent portion 36 is bent in a manner such that the supported portion 34 extends along the third direction Z. The supported portion 34 opposes the intermediate portion 33 in the second direction Y. The intermediate portion 33 and the supported portion 34 can improve the rigidity of the accommodation chambers 21, 22, 23, and suppress deformation of the accommodation chambers 21, 22, 23 in the fastening process.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 2 has a main body 20, a fitting portion 24, and an accommodation block 25. The main body 20, the fitting portion 24, and the accommodation block 25 are integrated. The main body 20 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The main body 20 holds the intermediate portions 33 of the bus bars 3 and the sleeves 11, 12. Figures 1 to 3 The fitting portion 24 protrudes from the side surface of the main body 20 toward the first direction X. The fitting portion 24 is a portion that is fitted with the counterpart connector, and has a cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 1, the three second terminal portions 32 are accommodated inside the fitting portion 24. The second terminal portions 32 are connected to female terminals possessed by the counterpart connector.

[0095] Figure 2 The accommodation block 25 is a portion that accommodates the nut 4 and the retainer 5. The first terminal portions 31 of the bus bars 3 are supported by the accommodation block 25. As shown in FIG. 1, the shape of the accommodation block 25 when viewed from above is a rectangle. The long side direction of the accommodation block 25 is the first direction X.

[0096] The accommodation block 25 has a recessed portion 26 that is recessed along the third direction Z. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the inner portion of the recessed portion 26 is divided into the accommodation chambers 21, 22, 23. In more detail, the accommodation block 25 has partition portions 27, 28. The partition portion 27 divides the accommodation chamber 21 and the accommodation chamber 22. The partition portion 28 divides the accommodation chamber 22 and the accommodation chamber 23. Figure 6 The partition portion 27 has wall portions 27a, 27b and a locking portion 27c. The wall portions 27a, 27b extend to the inner portion of the recessed portion 26 along the third direction Z. The wall portions 27a, 27b oppose each other in the first direction X. The wall portion 27a is a wall portion that forms the accommodation chamber 21. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the wall portion 27b is a wall portion that forms the accommodation chamber 22.

[0097] Figure 6 The locking portion 27c is a portion that is locked with the nut 4. The locking portion 27c is a portion that is locked with the retainer 5. The locking portion 27c is a portion that is locked with the sleeve 11. The locking portion 27c is a portion that is locked with the sleeve 12. Figure 7 The partition portion 28 has wall portions 28a, 28b and a locking portion 28c. The wall portions 28a, 28b extend to the inner portion of the recessed portion 26 along the third direction Z. The wall portions 28a, 28b oppose each other in the first direction X. The wall portion 28a is a wall portion that forms the accommodation chamber 22. The wall portion 28b is a wall portion that forms the accommodation chamber 23.

[0098] Figure 7 ​​​As shown, the end portion of the wall portion 27a holds the first terminal portion 31 of the bus bar 3A. The wall portion 27b is a wall portion that forms the accommodation chamber 22. The end portion of the wall portion 27b holds the first terminal portion 31 of the bus bar 3B. The locking portion 27c is provided between the wall portions 27a, 27b. The locking portion 27c is a portion of the locking holder 5, and protrudes toward the second direction Y. More specifically, the locking portion 27c protrudes toward the side opposite to the main body 20 side.

[0099] The partition portion 28 has wall portions 28a, 28b and a locking portion 28c. The wall portions 28a, 28b extend to the inner portion of the recess 26 along the third direction Z. The wall portions 28a, 28b are opposite to each other in the first direction X. The wall portion 28a is a wall portion that forms the accommodation chamber 22. The end portion of the wall portion 28a holds the first terminal portion 31 of the bus bar 3B. The wall portion 28b is a wall portion that forms the accommodation chamber 23. The end portion of the wall portion 28b holds the first terminal portion 31 of the bus bar 3C. The locking portion 28c is provided between the wall portions 28a, 28b. The locking portion 28c is a portion of the locking holder 5, and protrudes toward the second direction Y. As shown, Figure 8 the locking portion 28c protrudes toward the main body 20 side.

[0100] As shown, Figure 7 the housing 2 is integrally formed with the rim portion 31b of the first terminal portion 31. The housing 2 supports the first terminal portion 31 in the first direction X and the third direction Z, respectively. Therefore, the housing 2 supports the first terminal portion 31 when the bolt 8 is fastened to the nut 4, and can suppress deformation of the first terminal portion 31.

[0101] As shown, Figure 9 and Figure 10 the holder 5 has a main body 50, three support portions 51, 52, 53, and two engagement pieces 54, 55. The holder 5 is formed of, for example, an insulating synthetic resin. The main body 50, the support portions 51, 52, 53, and the engagement pieces 54, 55 are integral. As shown, Figure 10 the holder 5 has rotational symmetry with respect to the center axis CL. More specifically, the holder 5 is formed such that, when rotated 180 degrees around the center axis CL, the shape before rotation coincides with the shape after rotation.

[0102] The main body 50 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The main body 50 has side surfaces 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d. The side surfaces 50a, 50b are side surfaces along the long sides of the main body 50, and face the second direction Y. The side surfaces 50c, 50d are side surfaces along the short sides of the main body 50, and face the first direction X. The side surfaces 50c, 50d are orthogonal to the side surfaces 50a, 50b. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the main body 50 in a cross section orthogonal to the third direction Z is rectangular.

[0103] Ribs 56 are formed on each of the sides 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d of the main body 50. The ribs 56 extend in the third direction Z. In other words, the ribs 56 extend in the insertion direction into the recess 26. Each side 50a and 50b has two ribs 56. One of the two ribs 56 is configured corresponding to the support portion 51. The other of the two ribs 56 is configured corresponding to the support portion 53. That is, in each side 50a and 50b, the two ribs 56 are located at both ends in the first direction X.

[0104] Sides 50c and 50d each have a rib 56. In each side 50c and 50d, the rib 56 is located at the center in the second direction Y. The cross-sectional shape of the rib 56 on the section orthogonal to the third direction Z is an arc shape. Figure 9 As shown, an inclined surface 56a is provided at the end of the rib 56. Here, the end of the rib 56 is the end that first contacts the wall surface of the recess 26 during the insertion of the retainer 5 into the recess 26. The inclined surface 56a is inclined such that the height of the rib 56 decreases towards the end of the rib 56. The inclined surfaces 56a of each rib 56 are located at the same position in the third direction Z. The inclined surfaces 56a have a centering function that guides the retainer 5 to a proper position within the recess 26 and a function that suppresses tilting of the retainer 5 relative to the recess 26. Due to the centering function of the ribs 56, structures such as guide rails for guiding the retainer 5 are unnecessary. Furthermore, the ribs 56 can suppress abnormal noise and damage to the retainer 5 when vibrations or impacts are input from the outside.

[0105] Support portions 51, 52, and 53 protrude from the main body 50 toward a third direction Z. Support portions 51, 52, and 53 are arranged at intervals along a first direction X. The support portions 51, 52, and 53 are square in shape in a cross-section orthogonal to the third direction Z. Support portions 51, 52, and 53 have recesses 57 corresponding to the threaded holes of the nut 4. Recesses 57 are recessed from the end faces of support portions 51, 52, and 53 along the third direction Z.

[0106] Engaging tabs 54 and 55 protrude from the main body 50 toward a third direction Z. Engaging tabs 54 and 55 are arm-shaped, with claws 54a and 55a at their ends. One engaging tab 54 is located between two support portions 51 and 52. The other engaging tab 55 is located between two support portions 52 and 53. Claws 54a and 55a protrude toward a second direction Y. The protruding directions of the two claws 54a and 55a are opposite. That is, when claw 54a engages with the locking portion 27c of the housing 2, claw 55a engages with the locking portion 28c. Conversely, when claw 54a engages with the locking portion 28c, claw 55a engages with the locking portion 27c.

[0107] like Figure 11As shown, the nuts 4A, 4B, 4C are housed in the housing chambers 21, 22, 23, respectively. The holding member 5 is engaged with the housing 2 and supports the nuts 4A, 4B, 4C. More specifically, the support portion 51 is inserted into the housing chamber 21 and supports the nut 4A. The support portion 51 is located on the side opposite the first terminal portion 31 side with respect to the nut 4A and supports the nut 4A in such a manner that the threaded hole 41 of the nut 4A opposes the through-hole 31a. Similarly, the support portion 52 is inserted into the housing chamber 22 and supports the nut 4B, and the support portion 53 is inserted into the housing chamber 23 and supports the nut 4C.

[0108] In Figure 12 the terminal block 1 is shown assembled to the device 100. The device 100 is a device mounted on a vehicle, such as a PCU (Power Control Unit) interposed between a power supply and a motor for traveling. The first terminal portions 31 of the bus bars 3 are connected to terminals 101 of the device 100. The device 100 supplies current to the motor via the terminals 101. The terminals 101 are, for example, terminals of a current meter. With respect to the three first terminal portions 31, a corresponding phase terminal 101 is fastened, respectively. The current meter measures the current value flowing between the power supply and the motor. The terminals 101 are plate-shaped terminals having through-holes and overlap the first terminal portions 31.

[0109] The bolt 8 is inserted through the through-hole of the terminal 101 and the through-hole 31a of the first terminal portion 31 and is screwed with the nut 4. The terminal 101 and the first terminal portion 31 are fastened together by the bolt 8 and the nut 4. The shaft portion of the bolt 8 enters the recess 57. Chips generated when the bolt 8 is screwed with the nut 4 are housed in the recess 57.

[0110] As Figure 13 shown, the housing chambers 21, 22, 23 have wall surfaces opposing each side surface of the nut 4 and can restrict rotation of the nut 4. The housing chamber 21 has wall surfaces 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d. The wall surfaces 21a, 21b, 21d are wall surfaces of the outer peripheral wall of the housing block 25. The wall surface 21c is a wall surface of the wall portion 27a. The wall surfaces 21a, 21b oppose each other in the second direction Y. The wall surfaces 21c, 21d oppose each other in the first direction X. The housing chamber 21 supports four side surfaces of the nut 4A by the four wall surfaces 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d and restricts rotation of the nut 4A. In addition, the housing chambers 21, 22, 23 have a slight gap between the side surface of the nut 4 and the wall surface, so the nut 4 can move in the third direction Z. The size of the gap can also be a value that allows the nut 4 to be centered.

[0111] The receiving chamber 22 has walls 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d. Walls 22a and 22b are the outer peripheral walls of the receiving block 25. Wall 22c is the wall of wall portion 28a, and wall 22d is the wall of wall portion 27b. Walls 22a and 22b are opposite to each other in the second direction Y. Walls 22c and 22d are opposite to each other in the first direction X. The receiving chamber 22 supports the four sides of the nut 4B and restricts the rotation of the nut 4B by means of the four walls 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d.

[0112] The receiving chamber 23 has walls 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d. Walls 23a, 23b, and 23c are the outer peripheral walls of the receiving block 25. Wall 23d is the wall of the wall portion 28b. Walls 23a and 23b are opposite to each other in the second direction Y. Walls 23c and 23d are opposite to each other in the first direction X. The receiving chamber 23 supports the four sides of the nut 4C and restricts the rotation of the nut 4C by means of the four walls 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d.

[0113] like Figure 13 As shown, in the receiving block 25, the wall portions having wall surfaces 21a, 22a, and 23a are integrally formed with the intermediate portion 33 of the busbar 3. That is, the busbar 3 can support the wall surfaces 21a, 22a, and 23a through the intermediate portion 33, suppressing deformation of the wall surfaces 21a, 22a, and 23a when the bolt 8 is tightened relative to the nut 4. Furthermore, the wall portions having wall surfaces 21b, 22b, and 23b are integrally formed with the supported portion 34 of the busbar 3. That is, the busbar 3 can support the wall surfaces 21b, 22b, and 23b, suppressing deformation of the wall surfaces 21b, 22b, and 23b during tightening.

[0114] like Figure 14 As shown, the retainer 5 is engaged with the housing 2 by the engaging tab 55. The locking portion 28c of the housing 2 locks the claw 55a of the retainer 5. Similarly, the locking portion 27c of the housing 2 locks the claw 54a of the retainer 5. Figure 12 As shown, the device 100 has a counter wall 102 that prevents the retainer 5 from falling off. The counter wall 102 is opposite to the retainer 5 in the third direction Z. When the claw 55a disengages from the locking portion 28c, or when the claw 54a disengages from the locking portion 27c, the counter wall 102 supports the retainer 5 to prevent the retainer 5 and the nut 4 from falling off. In addition, to more reliably prevent the retainer 5 from falling off, a portion of the retainer 5 may protrude from the recess 26. For example, the height of the retainer 5 may be set such that the retainer 5 contacts the counter wall 102 when the housing 2 is fixed to the device 100.

[0115] Here, a manufacturing method of the case 2 according to the present embodiment will be described. The example case 2 is molded by a primary molding process and a secondary molding process. In the primary molding process, the resin body 6 shown in FIG. 6 is molded on the second terminal portion 32 of the bus bar 3. In the primary molding process, the resin body 6 is integrally molded on the second terminal portion 32 wound in a cylindrical shape by insert molding. The block portion 62 of the resin body 6 is formed on the base end portion of the second terminal portion 32. Figure 4

[0116] In the secondary molding process, the case 2 is insert molded on the bus bar 3 with the resin body 6. Figure 15 A mold 200 used in the secondary molding process will be described. The mold 200 has a first mold 201, a second mold 202, and a slide 203. The first mold 201 is a mold that supports the bus bar 3 from below. The second mold 202 is a mold that relatively moves in the third direction Z with respect to the first mold 201. The slide 203 is a mold that relatively moves in the first direction X with respect to the first mold 201. As will be described below, the slide 203 is configured to hold the resin body 6.

[0117] The slide 203 has a column portion 204 that forms the fitting portion 24 of the case 2. The column portion 204 protrudes in the first direction X. A holding portion 205 that holds the resin body 6 is provided on the end surface of the column portion 204.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 7, the first mold 201 has a plurality of first support portions 206 and three second support portions 207. The first support portion 206 supports the middle portion 33 of the bus bar 3. In the first mold 201, there are a plurality of first support portions 206 with respect to one bus bar 3. The first support portion 206 protrudes in the third direction Z and has a slit into which the middle portion 33 is inserted. The plurality of first support portions 206 includes a first support portion 206 having a slit in the first direction X and a first support portion 206 having a slit in the second direction Y. Figure 16

[0119] One second support portion 207 is provided with respect to one bus bar 3. The second support portion 207 supports the end portion of the second terminal portion 32 side of the middle portion 33. The second support portion 207 has a slit into which the middle portion 33 is inserted, and has a support surface 207a that supports the resin body 6.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 7, the first mold 201 has a plurality of first support portions 206 and three second support portions 207. The first support portion 206 supports the middle portion 33 of the bus bar 3. In the first mold 201, there are a plurality of first support portions 206 with respect to one bus bar 3. The first support portion 206 protrudes in the third direction Z and has a slit into which the middle portion 33 is inserted. The plurality of first support portions 206 includes a first support portion 206 having a slit in the first direction X and a first support portion 206 having a slit in the second direction Y. Figure 17 ​​As shown, the column portion 204 has a recess 204a for insertion of the second terminal portion 32. The retaining portion 205 has a pair of linear first protrusions 205a, 205a and a pair of linear second protrusions 205b, 205b. One first protrusion 205a is disposed on one side of the third direction Z opposite to the recess 204a, and the other first protrusion 205a is disposed on the other side of the third direction Z opposite to the recess 204a. The pair of first protrusions 205a, 205a extend along the second direction Y and are opposite to each other in the third direction Z. The first protrusions 205a, 205a are configured to clamp the block portion 62 of the resin body 6 from both sides in the third direction Z.

[0121] One second protrusion 205b is disposed on one side of the recess 204a in the second direction Y, and the other second protrusion 205b is disposed on the other side of the recess 204a in the second direction Y. The pair of second protrusions 205b, 205b extend along the third direction Z and are opposite to each other in the second direction Y. The second protrusions 205b, 205b are configured to clamp the block portion 62 of the resin body 6 from both sides in the second direction Y.

[0122] Figure 18 The busbar 3 is shown, held by a first mold 201, a second mold 202, and a slider 203. The second mold 202 has a plurality of support portions 208. More specifically, the second mold 202 has a plurality of support portions 208 opposite to each of the first support portions 206 and three support portions 208 opposite to three second support portions 207. The support portions 208 have slits for the insertion of the intermediate portion 33.

[0123] The mold 200 clamps the middle portion 33 from both sides of the third direction towards Z via the first support portion 206 and the corresponding support portion 208. Furthermore, the mold 200 clamps the ends of the middle portion 33 from both sides of the third direction towards Z via the second support portion 207 and the corresponding support portion 208.

[0124] like Figure 18 As shown, the second terminal portion 32 of the busbar 3 is housed in the pillar portion 204. The end face of the pillar portion 204 abuts against the block portion 62, closing the space housing the second terminal portion 32. The block portion 62 is held by a pair of first protrusions 205a, 205a from both sides in the third direction Z. Similarly, the block portion 62 is held by a pair of second protrusions 205b, 205b from both sides in the second direction Y. That is, the slider 203 clamps the block portion 62 on all four sides. The support surface 207a of the first mold 201 supports the block portion 62 from the side opposite to the slider 203. That is, the block portion 62 is held by the support surface 207a and the pillar portion 204 from both sides in the first direction X. Therefore, the block portion 62 is positioned with high precision in the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z, respectively.

[0125] The housing 2 is integrally formed with the bus bar 3 by injecting resin into the space portion of the mold 200. In the manufacturing method of the terminal block 1 according to the embodiment, the mold 200 holds the second terminal portion 32 via the resin body 6 in the secondary molding step. That is, the mold 200 indirectly clamps the second terminal portion 32 via the resin body 6. Thus, damage to the second terminal portion 32, peeling of plating, and the like can be suppressed. Further, the position accuracy of the second terminal portion 32 is improved by holding the block portion 62 with the holding portion 205. Moreover, the position accuracy of the second terminal portion 32 is improved by supporting the block portion 62 with the support surface 207a.

[0126] As described above, the terminal block 1 according to the embodiment has the bus bar 3, the housing 2, the nut 4, and the retainer 5. The bus bar 3 has the plate-shaped first terminal portion 31 having the through-hole 31a and the second terminal portion 32. The housing 2 holds the bus bar 3 and has the cylindrical accommodation chambers 21, 22, and 23. The accommodation chambers 21, 22, and 23 face the first terminal portion 31 in the axial direction of the through-hole 31a. The nut 4 is accommodated in the accommodation chambers 21, 22, and 23. The retainer 5 has the support portions 51, 52, and 53 that support the nut 4 and is attached to the housing 2.

[0127] The accommodation chambers 21, 22, and 23 have wall surfaces that face the respective side surfaces of the nut 4 and restrict the rotation of the nut 4 with the wall surfaces. The example accommodation chambers 21, 22, and 23 have the same number of wall surfaces as the number of side surfaces of the nut 4. The support portions 51, 52, and 53 are located on the side opposite to the first terminal portion 31 with respect to the nut 4. The support portions 51, 52, and 53 support the nut 4 in such a manner that the threaded hole 41 of the nut 4 faces the through-hole 31a. The terminal block 1 according to the embodiment has wall surfaces that face the respective side surfaces of the nut 4. For example, the accommodation chamber 21 has four wall surfaces 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d that face the four side surfaces of the nut 4. Thus, the terminal block 1 can cause the load when the bolt 8 is fastened to the nut 4 to act on the wall surfaces 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d in a dispersed manner. Thus, the thinning of the accommodation block 25 can be achieved, and the terminal block 1 can be downsized.

[0128] The bus bar 3 according to the embodiment has the intermediate portion 33 that connects the first terminal portion 31 and the second terminal portion 32 and the supported portion 34 that is provided on the distal side from the first terminal portion 31. The housing 2 is integrally formed with the intermediate portion 33 and the supported portion 34. That is, the bus bar 3 is held by the housing 2 on both sides of the first terminal portion 31. Thus, the deformation of the bus bar 3 when the bolt 8 is fastened to the nut 4 is suppressed. Therefore, the nut 4 and the bolt 8 can be reliably fastened without applying a large fastening torque.

[0129] The supported portion 34 of the present embodiment is bent toward the accommodation chambers 21, 22, 23 side with respect to the first terminal portion 31. In the case of the housing 2, the wall that surrounds the accommodation chambers 21, 22, 23 is integrally formed with the supported portion 34. By extending the supported portion 34 along the accommodation chambers 21, 22, 23, it is possible to increase the contact area of the supported portion 34 with the housing 2.

[0130] The terminal block 1 of the present embodiment has a plurality of bus bars 3A, 3B, 3C. The housing 2 holds the plurality of bus bars 3A, 3B, 3C in a state in which a plurality of first terminal portions 31 are arranged at intervals along the first direction X. The housing 2 has a plurality of accommodation chambers 21, 22, 23 corresponding to the plurality of first terminal portions 31. The retainer 5 has a plurality of supported portions 51, 52, 53 corresponding to the plurality of accommodation chambers 21, 22, 23, and has engaging pieces 54, 55 provided between adjacent two supported portions 51, 52, 53. The retainer 5 is engaged with the housing 2 by the engaging pieces 54, 55. By providing the engaging structure between adjacent bus bars 3, it is possible to achieve miniaturization of the housing 2.

[0131] The housing 2 of the present embodiment has a recess 26 into which the retainer 5 is pressed. The retainer 5 has two side surfaces 50c, 50d facing the first direction X and two side surfaces 50a, 50b facing the second direction Y. The two side surfaces 50c, 50d facing the first direction X each have a rib 56 along the insertion direction in which the retainer 5 is inserted into the recess 26. The two side surfaces 50a, 50b facing the second direction Y each have a rib 56 along the insertion direction. By providing the ribs 56 on the four side surfaces, respectively, the retainer 5 is appropriately positioned in the first direction X and the second direction Y, respectively.

[0132] [Modified Example of Embodiment]

[0133] The number of bus bars 3 and nuts 4 that the terminal block 1 has is not limited to three. The shape of the second terminal portion 32 is not limited to a cylindrical shape. The second terminal portion 32 may, for example, be formed in the same plate shape as the first terminal portion 31. The shape of the nut 4 is not limited to a rectangular shape. For example, the shape of the nut 4 can be a hexagonal shape. In this case, the accommodation chamber 21, 22, 23 preferably has six wall surfaces that oppose each side surface of the nut 4.

[0134] The contents disclosed in the above-described embodiments and modified examples can be appropriately combined and executed.

Claims

1. A terminal block, characterized by, Possessing: a bus bar having a plate-shaped first terminal portion having a through-hole, and a second terminal portion; a housing holding the bus bar and having a cylindrical accommodation chamber opposed to the first terminal portion in an axial direction of the through-hole; a nut accommodated in the accommodation chamber; and a retainer having a support portion that supports the nut and is installed to the housing, the accommodation chamber has wall surfaces opposed to each side surface of the nut and restricts rotation of the nut by the wall surfaces, the support portion supports the nut in a manner that a threaded hole of the nut is opposed to the through-hole, on a side opposite to the first terminal portion with respect to the nut, the housing has a recess into which the retainer is pressed, the retainer has two side surfaces facing a first direction and two side surfaces facing a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the two side surfaces facing the first direction each have a rib along an insertion direction in which the retainer is inserted into the recess, the two side surfaces facing the second direction each have a rib along the insertion direction, the bus bar has an intermediate portion connecting the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion, and a supported portion provided at a position on a distal end side from the first terminal portion, the housing is integrally formed with the intermediate portion and the supported portion.

2. The terminal block according to claim 1, wherein the supported portion is bent toward a side of the accommodation chamber with respect to the first terminal portion, a wall of the housing that surrounds the accommodation chamber is integrally formed with the supported portion.

3. The terminal block according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the terminal block has a plurality of the bus bars, the housing holds the plurality of bus bars in a state in which the plurality of first terminal portions are arranged at intervals along a first direction, the housing has a plurality of the accommodation chambers corresponding to the plurality of first terminal portions, the retainer has a plurality of the support portions corresponding to the plurality of accommodation chambers, and has an engagement piece provided between two adjacent support portions, and is engaged with the housing by the engagement piece. ​ ​

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